Distributor



M. FRISCH DISTRIBUTOR Aug. 21, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1946INVENTOR Em w A m. E B M M. FRISCH DISTRIBUTOR Aug. 21, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1946 INVENTOR MAET/A FIG/501% (5g BY WATTORNEY DISTRIBUTOR Filed Aug. 24, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

M E E L LL 2 ,Y 1 507 29 30 7 24 30 22 T T f T A f 43 T 4/ 42 44 37 44745 f 38 o 1 o o LI 1 M ill 37 r 1 e I o o o a9 "44 39 48 T 49 r r 25 AT 7 f I 3 1 27 L7 4 23 BY 5 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 21, 1951 DISTRIBUTORMartin Frisch, New York, N. Y., assignor to Foster .Wheeler Corporation,New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 24, 1946,Serial No. 692,872

'13 Claims.

The present invention relates to distributors and more particularly tofiow distributors.

This invention provides a distributor for distributing a fluid stream,which stream flows within a conduit, substantially equally to aplurality of outlets for said stream the outlets being in communicationwith the conduit.

The invention will be disclosed as applied to the distribution ofpulverized fuel flowing from a pulverizer in a stream of air to aplurality of burners so that each burner is supplied with an amount offuel substantially equal to that supplied to the other burners.

The invention will be understood from the following description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a more or less diagrammatic view partly in elevation andpartly in section of pulverized fuel burning apparatus embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4- 3 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 55 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of thedistributor plates;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional View taken'on the line 1-1 of Fig. 7,and

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 7.

Like characters of reference refer to the same or similar partsthroughout the several views.

The forms of the invention disclosed are arranged for use with thefurnace of steam generating apparatus but it will be understood that theinvention is not limited to this particular application.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the referencecharacter I0 designates the setting of a steam generator having an upperdrum H to which is connected a bank of steam generating tubes I2. Thesteam generator may be of any desired form. The pulverizing apparatusdisclosed in these figures of the drawings reduces the fuel to a finelydivided form which fuel is entrained in a current of air and deliveredto burners in communication with the combustion chamber of the steamgenerator. The fuel, for example bituminous coal, is delivered to feedpipes l3 and is conducted throughthe fuel feed portions of a classifierM to a pulverizing mill [5 of any suitable type. As shown, the millcomprises a rotatable drum having pulverizing means such as a pluralityof steel balls of varying diameters, not shown. Air, which is preferablypreheated, is introduced into the mill through the air inlet l6 andsweeps entirely through the mill over the surface of the fuel beingpulverized therein entraining reduced fuel and carrying it through theclassifier i 4 wherein the fuel particles not sufiiciently pulverizedare separated from the fuel and air stream and are returned to the millI5. The air stream and entrained pulverized fuel then fiows throughdischarge pipe I? into an exhauster l8 which is driven by any suitablemeans such as an electric motor i9. A damper 2:) is hingedly mounted at2G in the pipe I? and is movable in a counterclockwise direction on saidhinge from the position shown in Fig. 2, in which position pipe I"! isfully opened and an opening 2| is completely closed, to a position inwhich the pipe I! is completely closed and the opening 2| is fullyopened. Damper 20, which may be operated manually or automatically, isadapted to be retained in any position intermediate the two positionsmentioned to thereby close or open the opening 2| in the pipe ii tovarying degrees. Exhauster l8 delivers the fuel and air mixture into adistributing or hopper conduit 22 which has opposite end Walls 23 and 2tand opposite side walls Hand 26. As shown, the inlet end 21 of thehopper 22 is in communication with the outlet of the exhauster 18, whilethe outlet end 28 is covered by a plate 29 having a plurality of spacedoutlets 30 therein. Delivery pipes 3i are connected into each of theoutlets 30 at one end thereof, while the opposite end of the deliverypipes are in communication with a discharge nozzle 32. Each of thedischarge nozzles 32 has a plurality of burner nozzles 33 at thedischarge end thereof. The burner nozzles 33 discharge into the 001mbustion chamber of the vapor generator, air being supplied to saidcombustion chamber through air discharge ports 34 controlled by dampers35 which are operated by damper control apparatus 36.

A distributor is positioned in the hopper 22 intermediate the inlet andoutlet ends thereof so that the pulverized fuel in the stream flowingthrough the hopper is distributed substantially equally among thedelivery pipes 3|. The distributor comprises a shaft 37 mounted torotate in bearings 38 positioned.onbrackets 39 which brackets aresecured to cover plates 40 removably fastened by means of bolts 4| toopposite end walls 23 and 24 of the hopper. Cover plates 4|! close anopening 42 in the walls 23 and 24 which are of such diameter that thedistributor may be removed from the hopper, as will hereinafter be morefully described. Shaft 31, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, extendssubstantially horizontally between end walls 23 and '24 of. the hopperand intermediate the sidewalls 25 and 2Sthereof. Electric motor M, whichis removably secured to a bracket 43, rotates the shaft on itslongitudinal axis. A plurality of spaced plates 44 which, as shown arein the form of an elliptical-shaped disc and are positioned on the shaftso a'sf'to rotate 'the'rewith, the shaft 31 extending through thecentral portion of the plates 44. Flow paths 45 having an inlet 46 andan outlet 41 are therebyformedbetween adjacent plates 44. Plates 44 arepositioned on the shaft at anangle other than a right angle to the axisof rotation of said shaft so that when the plates are rotated by theshaft they will oscillate on an axis, indicated at A, Fig. 6, extendingin a plane transversely of the axis of rotation of shaft 31 so that flowpaths 45 between adjacent plates 44 will oscillate on axis A betweenpoints R and points StFig. 6) causing the stream of air and entrainedfuel to enter the inlets 46 of said flow paths from-the inlet end 2'! ofthe hopper in the area between-said points R and S and to be dischargedfrom the outlets 41 of said flow paths into the discharge 'end28 of thehopper in the area of oscillation'of said'flow paths during rotation oftheshaft '3l. The plates 44 are of a width less than the distancebetween the side walls 25 and 26' andthe'spaces between the periphery ofthe platesand said walls are closed by guide blocks 48 and 19' which aresecured to walls 25 and 26, respectively; the blocks being adapted toguide the stream of air and entrained fuel into passages 45 fromthe'inlet end 21 of the hopper.

In operation, a mixture of primary air and pulverized fuelentrainedtherein is withdrawn from the'mill l and after passing throughthe classifier |4 is withdrawn through pipe H by exhauster l8. Thestream of primary air and entrained fuel is discharged from theexhauster l8 into the inlet end 21 'of the hopper 22. The stream flowsin the hopper from the inlet end 2'! into the inlets 45 to enter flowpaths 45 between adjacent plates 44. "Since the plates 44 are rotated byshaft 31 about the horizontal axis of said shaft, the plates willoscillate on the transverse axis A, Fig. 6', in a plane extendingtransversely of the axis of therotation'of shaft 31 so that the flowpaths 45 between adjacent plates will oscillate through areas betweenpoints R and S causing the stream of air with entrained pulverized fuelupon discharge from the outlet 41 of flow paths 45 to be'distri'butedthroughout the outlet end 28 of the hopper substantially equally to theoutlets 30. The stream of air with pulverized fuel entrained thereindistributed to the various outlets 30 flows through the delivery pipes3| to the discharge nozzle 32. thence into the burner nozzles 33 whenceit is introduced into the combustion chamber of the vapor generator.

As shown, the stream of fuel and air flowing in the discharge nozzle 32is distributed to the burner nozzles 33 by apparatus similar to thatused in distributing the stream of fuel and air to the delivery pipes3|. A substantially horizontally extending shaft 48 extends transverselyof the discharge nozzle 32 and is mounted to rotate in bearings 49.

Shaft 48 is rotated by electric motor M. A plurality of spaced plates 50similar to plates 44 are positioned on the shaft 48 so as to rotatetherewith. Plates 50, like plates 44, are positioned on the shaft at anangle other than a right angle to the axis of rotation of the shaft 48so that when the plates are rotated by rotation of the shaft the plateswill oscillate in a manner similar to the oscillation of plates 44, ashereinbefore described. The flow paths 5| between plates 5|! are therebyoscillated causing the stream of fuel and air flowing from the deliverypipes 30 to the burner nozzles 33 to be distributed to the burnernozzles 33 in substantially the same manner that the. stream of air andentrained fuel is distributed to the outlets 30 by the flow paths 45between plates 44.

Should it be desired, the distributor may be removed from the hopper 22.Such removal is accomplished by removing bolts 4| and plates 46 whichcover openings 42thence removing bolts securing motor M to bracket 43'.By moving the motor and shaft 3'1 to the right of Fig. 3, thedistributor is withdrawn from the hopper 22, plates 44 passing throughopening 42.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to 9, a singleelliptical-shaped distributor disc 52 is mounted on a verticallyextendin shaft 53 to rotate therewith on the longitudinal axis of saidshaft. The disc 52 is positioned on the shaft 53 at an angle other thana right angle to the axis of rotation of the shaft. The shaft 53 ismounted in a distributor casing 54 adapted to be positioned on thedischarge end of the exhauster IS. The outlet end 55 of the casing 54 isenclosed by a cap 56 having a plurality of outlets 51 therein whichoutlets are positioned adjacent the periphery of the cap. Shaft 53extends through cap 55 in the central portion thereof and is connectedto electric motor 58 mounted on brackets 59 attached to cap 55. Theopposite end of shaft 53 is mounted in a bearin support 60 within thecasing 54.

The inlet end 6| of the casing 54 is in the form of a truncated conewith the base thereof toward the exhauster l8. Above the inlet end 6| isa cylindrical throat portion 62 which is in communication with anoutwardly flared or in" verted truncated one section 63 which is a partof the cylindrically shaped outlet end 54 of the casing. The disc 52 isso positioned on the shaft 53 that substantially half the disc is Withinthroat portion 62 and the other half adjacent the outwardly flaredportion 63.

In operation, as the shaft 53 is rotated by the motor 58, the disc 52rotates with said shaft on the longitudinal axis thereof. Rotation ofthe disc 52 on the longitudinal axis of the shaft causes an outletopening to be formed around substantially of the throat 62 so that airand entrained fuel may pass from the inlet end SI of the casing 54through substantially 180 of the throat 62 thence into substantially 180of the outlet portion 64 of the casing. Continued rotation through onerevolution of the disc 52 causes the disc to move from the positionshown in full lines in Fig. '7 to the position shown in dot and dashlines so that a stream of air and entrained fuel will pass from theinlet portion 6| of the casing 54 through the throat 62 into the otherhalf or 180 of the outlet por-- tion '34 of casing 54. Air and fuel,when the disc is in such position, will be prevented from entering thefirst-mentionedlSO" of the outlet portion 64 due to the close proximityof thedisc to 180 of the inside diameter of throat 62. It will beunderstood that the disc 52 is rotated at a relatively high speed sothat the distribution of air and entrained fuel from one half of theoutlet portion of casing 54 to the other half of said outlet portionoccurs with great rapidity so that fuel and air are distributedsubstantially equally among outlets 57. As shown, outlets 51 arecontrolled by dampers 65.

While the invention has been disclosed as applied to the distribution ofpulverized fuel flowing from a pulverizer in a stream of air to aplurality of burners for a vapor generator, it will be understood thatthis invention is not to be limited to such apparatus but is capable ofuse as a distributor for distributing a fluid stream which flows withina conduit substantially equally to a plurality of outlets for saidconduit.

It will be understood that the forms of the invention disclosed arepreferred forms and that changes may be made in the form, location andrelative arrangement of the several parts of the apparatus disclosedWithout departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be limited excepting by the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is: Y

1. Apparatus for distributing a fluid stream having solid particlesentrained therein, said apparatus comprising a conduit having an inletend and an outlet end with an inlet chamber at said inlet end, an outletchamber at the outlet end and an intermediate passage connecting saidchambers, the outlet end having a plurality of outlet openings incommunication with the outlet chamber, a distributor in the intermediatepassage, the distributor comprising at least one plate member mounted torotate on a fixed axis and extending diagonally of said axis and onopposite sides thereof, said distributor being disposed in theintermediate passage to extend diagonally thereof and in the path ofsaid fluid stream flowing from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber,and means for continuously rotating said at least one plate member onsaid fixed axis.

2. Apparatus for distributing a fluid stream having solid particlesentrained therein, said apparatus comprising a conduit having an inletend and an outlet end with an inlet chamber at said inlet end, an outletchamber at the outlet end and an intermediate passage connecting saidchambers, the outlet end having a plurality of outlet openings incommunication with the outlet chamber, a distributor in the intermediatepassage, the distributor comprising at least one flat plate membermounted to rotate on a fixed axis and extending diagonally of said axisand on opposite sides thereof, said distributor being disposed in theintermediate passage to extend diagonally thereof and in the path ofsaid fluid stream flowing from the inlet chamber to the outletchamber,and means for continuously rotating said at least one flat plate memberon said fixed axis.

3. Apparatus for distributing a fluid stream with pulverized fuelentrained therein comprising a conduit having an inlet end and an outletend with an inlet chamber at said inlet end, an outlet chamber at theoutlet end and an intermediate passage connecting said chambers, theoutlet end having a plurality of outlet openings in communication withthe outlet chamber, adistributor in the intermediate passage, thedistributor comprising at least one disc mounted at the center thereofto rotate on a fixed axis and extending diagonally of said axis and onopposite sides thereof, said distributor being disposed in the intermediate passage to extend diagonally thereof and in the path of saidfluid stream flowing from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber, andmeans for continuously rotating said at least one disc on said fixedaxis.

4. Apparatus for distributing a fluid stream comprising a conduit havingan inlet end and an outlet end with an inlet chamber at said inlet end,an outlet chamber at the outlet end and an intermediate passageconnecting said chambers, the outlet end having a plurality of outletopenings in communication with the outlet chamber, a distributor in theintermediate passage, the distributor comprising a plurality of platemembers mounted to rotate on a fixed axis extending transversely of theintermediate passage, the plate members being spaced from one anotherlongitudinally of said axis from one side to the other of theintermediate passage and extending diagonally of said axis and onopposite sides thereof in the path of a fluid stream flowing from theinlet chamber to the outlet chamber, and means for rotating said platemembers on said fixed axis.

5. Apparatus for distributing a fluid stream comprising a substantiallyvertically extending conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end withan inlet chamber at said inlet end, an out-- let chamber at the outletend and an intermediate passage connecting said chambers, the outlet endhaving a plurality of outlet openings in communication with the outletchamber, a distributor in the intermediate passage, the distribu-- torcomprising a plurality of plate members; mounted to rotate on a flxedaxis extending horizontally and transversely of the intermediatepassage, the plate members being spaced in parallel relationship to oneanother longitudinally of said axis from one side to the other of theintermediand on opposite sides thereof in the path of a fluid streamflowing from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber, and means forsimultaneously rotating all of said plate members on said fixed axis.

6. Apparatus for distributing an air stream having pulverized fuelentrained therein comprising a substantially vertically extendingconduit having an inlet end and an outlet end with an inlet chamber atsaid inlet end, an outlet chamber at the outlet end and an intermediatepassage connecting said chambers, the outlet end havin a plurality ofoutlet openings in communication with the outlet chamber, a distributorin the intermediate passage, the distributor comprising a shaftrotatably mounted in said intermediate passage and extendingtransversely thereof in a horizontal plane, a plurality of discs mountedon the shaft to rotate therewith, said shaft passing through the centersof said discs, the discs extending diagonally of the longitudinal axisof the shaft and spaced in parallel relationship to one anotherlongitudinally of the shaft from one side to the other of theintermediate passage, and means for rotating said shaft.

- 7. Apparatus for distributing an air stream having pulverized fuelentrained therein comprising a substantially vertically extendingconduit having an inlet end and an outlet end with an inlet chamber atsaid inlet end, an outlet chamber at the outlet end and an intermediatepassage connecting said chambers, the outlet end having stereos a'plurality of outlet openings in communication with the outlet chamber,a distributor'in the intermediate passage, the distributor comprising ashaft removably and rotatably mounted in said intermediate passage andextending transversely thereof in a horizontal plane, a plurality ofdiscs mounted on the shaft to rotate therewith, said shaft passingthrough the centers of said discs, the discs extending diagonally of thelongitudinal axis. of the shaft and spaced in parallel relationshiptoone another longitudinally of the shaft from one side to the other ofthe intermediate passage, and meansfor rotating said shaft.

8. Apparatus for distributing a fluid stream comprising a substantiallyvertically extending conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end withan inlet chamber at saidinlet end, an out letchamber at the outlet endand an intermediate. passage connecting said chambers, the-outlet endhaving a plurality of outlet openings in communication with the outletchamber, a dis-- tributor in the intermediate passage, the distributorcomprising a rotatably' mounted shaft extending vertically through theintermediate passage, a single plate in the intermediate passage mountedon said shaft to rotate therewith, said plate extending diagonally ofthe longitudinal axisiof the shaft on opposite sides thereof and:diagonally of said intermediate passage, and meansfor rotating saidshaft.

9.. Apparatus for distributing a fluid stream comprising a conduitwithan inlet end and an outletend, the outlet end having a plurality ofspaced outlet openings. in communication with said conduit, adistributor positioned in said con-- duit adjacentv to and: inspaced-relationship with said outlet end and said: openings suchdistanceasztdprovide an outlet chamber between-saidoutletend. and thedistributor, the distributor' also being so positioned in: the conduitin spaced relationship with. the inlet end. such distanceas toprovide aninlet chamber betweensa'id inlet end andzthe distributor,.thedistributor comprisingat.

least one plate member mounted to rotateona fixed. axis and extendingdiagonally of: said axis and on opposite sidesthereof,saiddistributor-being disposed in theiconduit. toextenddiagonally' of the longitudinal axis thereof and in the path.

of: saidfluid stream flowingfrom; the: inletchambar to the outlet.chamber of said conduit, and

means for continuously rotating-said at least one plate member on saidfixedaxis.

ldhpparatus for distributing a. fluid. stream comprising a eonduitwithan inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet endhaving, a& plurality of.spaced outlet openings in communicationwith: saidconduit, a distributorpositioned in said conduit adjacent to and in spacedrelationship withsaid outlet end and said openings". such. distance as to provide anoutlet chamberJbetWeensaid'outlet end and the distributor, the.distributoralso being so positioned in the conduit inspacedzrelationship with the inlet end such distance as to provide aninlet chamber betweensaidJ-inlet end and the distributor,the-distributor comprisingat least one disc mounted at 'thecenter:thereof to rotate on a fixed axis and extending: diagonally of said axisand on opposite sides. thcreof,,said

distributor being disposed-in the conduit to extend: diagonally of thelongitudinal. axis thereof and in the path of said fluid stream flowingfrom the inlet chamber to the-outlet chamber of: said conduit, and meansfor continuously rotating; said at leastonedisc' on said fixed. axis.

11. Apparatus for distributing a fluid stream comprising a conduit withan inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end having a plurality ofspaced outlet openings in communication with said conduit, a distributoradjacent to and in spaced relationship with said outlet end and saidopenings, the distributor comprising a plurality of plate membersmounted to rotate on a fixed axis extending transversely of thelongitudinal axis of the conduit, the plate members being spaced fromone another longitudinally of said fixed axis from one side to the otherof the conduit and extending diagonally of said fixed axis and onopposite sides thereof in the path of a fluid stream with solidparticles entrained therein flowing from the inlet end to the outlet endofsaid conduit, and means for rotating said plate members on said fixedaxis.

12. Apparatus for distributing a fluid stream comprising a verticallyextending conduit with an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet endhaving a pluraltiy of spaced outlet openings in communication with saidconduit, a distributor positioned in said conduit adjacent to and inspaced relationship with said outlet end and said openings such distanceas to provide an outlet chamber between said outlet end and thedistributor, the distributor also being so positioned in the conduit inspaced relationship with the inlet end such distance as to provide aninlet chamberv between said inlet end and the distributor, thedistributor comprising a rotatably mounted shaft extending vertically inthe conduit, a single plate in the conduit mounted on said shaft torotate therewith, said plate extending diagonally of the longitudinalaxis of the shaft on opposite sicles thereof and diagonally ofsaidconduit in the path of said fluid stream flowing from the inletchamber to the outlet chamber of said conduit, and means for rotatingsaid shaft.

13. Apparatus for distributing a stream of air having pulverizedfuelentrained therein, said-apparatus comprising a substantiallyvertically extending conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end withan inlet chamber at said inlet end, an. outlet chamber at the outlet endand an intermediate passage connecting said chambers, the outlet endhaving a plurality of outlet openings in communication with the outletchamber, a distributor. in the intermediate passage, the distributorcomprising a rotatably mounted shaft extending vertically through theintermediate passagaa single plate in the intermediate passage mountedon said shaft to rotate therewith, said plate extendingdiagonally ofthelongitudinal axis of the'shafton opposite sides thereof and diagonallyof said conduit throughout substantiallythe entire inside diameterthereof, and means for rotating said shaft.

MARTIN FRISCH.

- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date R'e.=21,878 Frisch Aug. 19, 1941898,818 'Aiken' Sept. 15, I908 1,641,470 Bell Sept. 6, 1927 1,8313066Gleason Nov. 10, 1931 2,400,703: Messinger May 21, 1946

